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Original poster

HPV vaccine uncertainties

123 replies

Vaccidilemma · 19/06/2023 07:36

My daughter (12) has been offered the vaccine at school in the coming weeks.

I have always been of the view that she should take the vaccine, she has had all of her childhood vaccines and I’ve seen evidence of significantly lower rates of cancer in younger 20-30 year olds.

Right so my issue now is that my partner is of the opposing view that he is concerned about the adverse effects and has been led to believe that it will lead to some quite nasty long term irreversible issues. I’ve had a look online and I’m also seeing anecdotal evidence of these issues so I’m also now uncertain. I realise that we are only going to hear about the people who have had problems and that these are more vocal, especially within the anti vax community.

I want to protect her against this horrible disease but what if she is one of the few who do experience problems?

has anyone delayed it for similar reasons?

has anyone paid privately when they are no longer eligible to receive it on the NHS? If so, how much and did you have any obstacles in being able to get it?

Does anyone regret their decision either way?

AiBU to ask?

thank you

OP posts:
GayPareeee · 19/06/2023 07:38

One person I knew is dead, one had terminal cancer (one make one female) both from HPV mediated cancers. All my children eligible had had the vaccine, I actually didn't find many side effects when researching this vax at all, definitely seems like one of the safer ones.

Anyway, seeing what the above went/are going through was enough to persuade me to provide consent

Cherchezlafemme77 · 19/06/2023 07:42

It's a vaccine against cancer. You are much, much more likely to regret delaying or omitting it. Please do the right thing by your daughter.

Cherchezlafemme77 · 19/06/2023 07:43

... the horror stories you read/hear are antivax propaganda. Ignore them.

fungibletoken · 19/06/2023 07:43

When you ask about delaying it, how long do you mean? As I understand it, you really want to have it before you're sexually active, as once you've been exposed to the virus (and it's pretty common) the vaccine loses its effect.

Oysterbabe · 19/06/2023 07:45

Anti vaxxers are full of shit. Do your job as a parent and protect your child from cancer.

booksandcats22 · 19/06/2023 07:45

Vaccidilemma · 19/06/2023 07:36

My daughter (12) has been offered the vaccine at school in the coming weeks.

I have always been of the view that she should take the vaccine, she has had all of her childhood vaccines and I’ve seen evidence of significantly lower rates of cancer in younger 20-30 year olds.

Right so my issue now is that my partner is of the opposing view that he is concerned about the adverse effects and has been led to believe that it will lead to some quite nasty long term irreversible issues. I’ve had a look online and I’m also seeing anecdotal evidence of these issues so I’m also now uncertain. I realise that we are only going to hear about the people who have had problems and that these are more vocal, especially within the anti vax community.

I want to protect her against this horrible disease but what if she is one of the few who do experience problems?

has anyone delayed it for similar reasons?

has anyone paid privately when they are no longer eligible to receive it on the NHS? If so, how much and did you have any obstacles in being able to get it?

Does anyone regret their decision either way?

AiBU to ask?

thank you

More women have suffered for not having access to such a vaccine then have from side effects

FfeminyddCymraeg · 19/06/2023 07:46

It’s the one vaccine I didn’t hesitate in signing my DD up for. I know far too many people who have had cervical cancer.

My DS will be having it when offered too.

I only wish it was around when I was young enough to benefit from it.

Unananana · 19/06/2023 07:48

Its a vaccine against a serious cancer. Why would you not let her have it? Get your head out of google as it sounds like you've been reading anti-vaxxer clap trap.

My DD has had both doses. No side effects except a heavy arm for 24 hours. Way better than dying!

Cherchezlafemme77 · 19/06/2023 07:53

Oysterbabe · 19/06/2023 07:45

Anti vaxxers are full of shit. Do your job as a parent and protect your child from cancer.

💯💯💯

Hugasauras · 19/06/2023 07:55

You can find anecdotal evidence for anything you want to. Don't go down those rabbit holes.

Whiterose23 · 19/06/2023 07:57

I understand your concern and I have a friend whose daughter has been left with side effects from this vaccine. I won’t go into details as it’s not my child.
However I didn’t hesitate to sign the consent form for my daughter and she has received this vaccine. My view was that her risk of developing cervical cancer is much higher than a long term complication to the vaccine.

DustyLee123 · 19/06/2023 07:59

This vaccine is the only thing we have that actually prevents cancer.
Delaying the vaccine won’t delay any potential complications she may have, it’s a clear choice of do you want it or not.
And we are expecting an announcement from September that one dose is all that is necessary, moving forward.

YourMusic · 19/06/2023 08:09

Does you daughter not understand what the vaccine is for and want to have it? My daughter understood and although dislikes needles knew this was something that she needed. She had her second dose this year as did all her friends.

This isn’t like the covid vaccine where, at their age, if they were healthy, there seemed to be some evidence that it wasn’t as necessary. I think this one is as necessary as the vaccinations they give at 2/3/4 months and the pre school booster.

Dilbertian · 19/06/2023 08:09

The risk of developing cervical cancer is much higher than the risk of vaccine harm. Life is full of risks and you have to balance them against the benefits.

All my dc, males as well as females, have had the HPV vaccine. We paid for our eldest dc to have it privately, as he had just missed out on it, and it cost about £300 IIRC.

Whapples · 19/06/2023 08:17

I got it and got a not so great side effect. It is not “proven” to be from the vaccine but my doctors agree it’s highly likely due to the timing and it being a potential side effect. I don’t regret having it as I would rather this that a higher risk of cancer. Since there a genetic predisposition for the side effect, that likely had big impact and I may have developed it later anyway so worth it imo. My sister decided not to get it but has said she may do privately later in life, she just felt it was too stressed for her as a teenager if she did develop the same side effect. Wouldn’t shock me if she got it at uni tho. Do what’s best for your child but honestly, I think getting it was worth it personally.

sparkleice · 19/06/2023 08:22

I’ve had a look online and I’m also seeing anecdotal evidence of these issues so I’m also now uncertain

Well that's me convinced....

Dr Google all the way!

gogohmm · 19/06/2023 08:25

Only one of mine has had it ( the newer more effective version wasn't available when eldest was appropriately aged) that reminds be she needs to arrange it before age 25

MrsMiagi · 19/06/2023 08:40

Vaccidilemma · 19/06/2023 07:36

My daughter (12) has been offered the vaccine at school in the coming weeks.

I have always been of the view that she should take the vaccine, she has had all of her childhood vaccines and I’ve seen evidence of significantly lower rates of cancer in younger 20-30 year olds.

Right so my issue now is that my partner is of the opposing view that he is concerned about the adverse effects and has been led to believe that it will lead to some quite nasty long term irreversible issues. I’ve had a look online and I’m also seeing anecdotal evidence of these issues so I’m also now uncertain. I realise that we are only going to hear about the people who have had problems and that these are more vocal, especially within the anti vax community.

I want to protect her against this horrible disease but what if she is one of the few who do experience problems?

has anyone delayed it for similar reasons?

has anyone paid privately when they are no longer eligible to receive it on the NHS? If so, how much and did you have any obstacles in being able to get it?

Does anyone regret their decision either way?

AiBU to ask?

thank you

It's hard. I'm not anti vax generally and have had them all except the covid jab.
I know someone who is vaccine injured from having the HPV jab at school, (this has been medically confirmed before people come at me) and its devastatingly life changing. But its also rare.
Vaccines make me nervous but I think all we can do is hope we aren't the unlucky small percentage who are negatively affected.
Can't say for certain I would let my child have it in your shoes, but then again I can't say I'd not let them either

VerticalSausages · 19/06/2023 08:47

Can you describe this medically confirmed vaccine injury mrsmiagi

Elieza · 19/06/2023 08:50

My friends daughter was 23 when diagnosed with cervical cancer. Having had the jag at school at the appropriate time, whatever age that was, at that time.

She had a full hysterectomy and is now cancer free thank God. She can’t have children though and she’s so young it’s sad.

So I don’t know how good the vaccine actually is?

It could be that it was given when she was say 15 or something as it had just been authorised and she was already having sex and already had hpv.

Or she was predisposed to this anyway and that’s statistically expected. I don’t know.

I only know I would do a lot of research myself first before getting it. Like I would now for any vaccine. I’m not anti vax. Just anti-bullshit and pro making informed choices.

Sissynova · 19/06/2023 08:51

I’ve had a look online and I’m also seeing anecdotal evidence of these issues so I’m also now uncertain.

Random anonymous anecdotes on the internet have made you uncertain compared to the piles of actual scientific evidence on the safety of this vaccine?

has anyone delayed it for similar reasons?

Even if you didn't agree with the vaccine why would you delay it? What would be the benefit to having it later?

MedSchoolRat · 19/06/2023 08:53

The anti HPV-jab claims are terrible scientifically, OP, incredibly bogus and illogical. I am happy to tear them apart for you & partner. Evaluating medical evidence is my job. :)

Sissynova · 19/06/2023 08:54

@Elieza no vaccine claims to be 100% effective. Odd to suggest they are and therefore possibly don't actually work if you still get whatever it is protecting against and then claim to be anti-bullshit.

Salvadoral · 19/06/2023 08:54

YANBU to question the safety of a vaccine but when you weigh up the risks (and I’m not talking about the utter shite pedalled by anti-vaxers) it’s a no-brainer.

I went to school in the 90s with a lovely girl - a kind soul and a talented performer. She died of cervical cancer aged 24.

My DDs will damn well be getting that vaccine.

Deadringer · 19/06/2023 08:55

I didn't get my dd done because of 'evidance' I read against it and I was really sorry I didn't. She went and got it herself as an adult in a catch up programme but seemingly the earlier it's administered the better. I made sure my younger dd got it at school.